We knew working at McDonald’s wasn’t the greatest gig in the world, but we didn’t know it was this bad.

After 20 years cooking burgers and manning the fryer for the national chain, Tyree Johnson still makes just the minimum wage, Bloomberg reports. That’s $8.25 an hour in 44-year-old Johnson’s hometown of Chicago, where he works at two different McDonald’s restaurants.

In an emailed statement, a McDonald’s spokesperson pointed out that the majority of the company’s restaurants are independently owned. “We value our employees’ well-being and the contributions they make to our restaurants, and thank them for what they do each and every day,” wrote Cheryll Ocampo Forsatz.

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Kaori

This man more than likely is of limited education and lowly skilled.

I think it is worth examining why he was never given a raise.

BAnne

I don’t know what Tyree Johnson’s motivations were for staying with McDonalds for twenty years, but did anyone in the previous comments consider that maybe a disability could be an reason. Oftentimes disabled individuals depend on low wage jobs in the service industry to support themselves. And many of them do slip through the cracks and don’t have support or receive government assistance. Have a little compassion and understanding, folks.

Kaori

Everyone is too busy stating what THEY would have done.

chanela

it’s not a surprise! i worked at a movie theater and this lady who had been working there for 11 years was still making 8.00 an hour and could barely buy food. smh

ANTMilf

20 years at McDonald, God bless his heart. I wouldn’t be caught dead working at fast food joints for 20 years years! I worked at Mickey D’s (my first job) for 2 years, just to pay bills and rent during nursing school.

MLS2698

Are you an RN? Feel like I’m studying for a degree just to finish pre-reqs!

ANTMilf

Have been for 6 years now.

ConfusedByThis

20 Years at Mc Donald’s though?!?!!?
I can see if he tried to apply for their corporate program (I didn’t ready the whole story yet at Black Voices )after years of experience, BUT just because you show up doing what your supposed to do doesn’t mean you deserve a raise/promotion. Just saying!

Miss_Understood

Huuuuhhhh…we slam dope dealers, prostitutes, government leaches and beggars for not making an “honest” living but blame this man who is working HARD for 20 years at probably the only company that he has the education and experience to work at…I don’t care if he worked for Google for 20 years, you work that long for an organization, you DESERVE to be compensated for your loyalty…ya’ll really should be ashamed

Charla

I understand what you’re saying but there are ways to make more money with a limited educated. He could have tried other fast food restaurants or even a full scale restaurant. He has only himself to blame for accepting those wages for so long.

Miss_Understood

I am just wondering if he has sought out other jobs and was denied. Yes if he NEVER tried to apply anywhere else then he lacks ambition…

http://twitter.com/Nerdstradamas Kendra

20 years though?! In 20 years you couldn’t seek and gain better employment much less receive a promotion where you have seniority. Something is wrong with this picture and we’re not in the wrong for asking questions.

Miss_Understood

Asking questions is fine, judging and ridiculing-not so much

chanela

um FYI fast food is NOT the only place a person with a high school diploma can work at. this is what pisses me off about people. they tell you that if you don’t go to college then you’ll work minimum wage jobs at fast food places your whole life. there are TONS of places where you can make $12-17 an hour without any college.

just sayin

Miss_Understood

um…first off, does he even have a high school diploma? Where are these tons of “well paying” jobs for uneducated people exactly?

chanela

are you serious ,a’am!? there are TONS of city jobs that pay like $4,000-6,000 a month with no degree required. i currently work for a company that pays $12 dollars an hour and i have no degree. please believe that a degree isn’t the end all be all….

MLS2698

He could have gone to ” Hamburger College.” Don’t laugh…….. it’s a real school! Look it up.

Say What?

In twenty years you couldn’t save up enough money to get your life? Ninja please!

Tamz

After 20 years, he should have been able to purchase his own restaurant.

http://twitter.com/Nerdstradamas Kendra

I struggle desperately to understand this story and dude’s complaints. I really do. Being no stranger to food service, I don’t see how anyone could get comfortable doing such a job for 20 years and not even attempt to get promoted. At the very least, he could have sought employment elsewhere, like at an upscale restaurant. I don’t get it. I am not in understanding….

moemiel

so 20 yrs ago minimum wage wasnt 8.25$ lol n that is what he has always done n he been ok with it.

ConfusedByThis

okay..I remember when I first started working 15 years ago seeing minimum wage at the high $4 range and low $5 range…. How can you survive off of that and be satisfied…He should’ve went to a technical school for at least two of those 20years and learned a trade… Not trying to be funny but is he learning impaired or special needs? Then I can see why he stayed.

Lala Fisher

I can’t feel bad for this man. After a year on the job, I would have been pushing to make supervisor, manager, shift supervisor, something!! He makes minimum wage by choice. It’s safe, is secure, & he doesn’t have to learn any new skills. That’s on him.

http://twitter.com/Nerdstradamas Kendra

Right! I don’t understand…He definitely wasted the early years of his life. Like he didn’t apply himself? I need to hear his story. Why did work at McDonald’s for 20 years?

Kaori

What YOU would have done means nothing for this man. I would assume after that many years, he probably has not learned any new skills to advance to another job.

IllyPhilly

He worked 20 years at Mickey D’s. He should draw a picture of himself and slap it front to back.

Charla

Well why the heck has he stayed? Come on now…

kierah

Exactly. He acted like there weren’t other minimum wage jobs out there where he would have at least gotten a ten cent raise or something.
Some folks really don’t know the lid of the jar.

kierah

*off

Charla

Right!

Miss_Understood

“other minimum wage jobs out there where he would have at least gotten a ten cent raise”

Who would leave a job where (I assume) you are getting benefits for another minimum wage job where you MIGHT earn an extra 10 cents an hours???

Kaori

How do you know what he ‘acted like’?

Kaori

Probably because he is a low-skilled employee who has become comfortable in his job.

MLS2698

Trying to make crew leader, I guess. But if it were me, I’d own that joint by now!